MANUAL  OF  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  '5^ 


CREATING  AND  GOVERNING  THE 


l^xamin^rs 


OF  THE 


UNIVERSITY  OF  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK; 


WITH  A STATEMENT 

OF  THE 

OBJECTS  OF  THE  BOARD  AND  THE  MODE  OF  EXAMINATIONS. 


ALBAI^Y: 

WEED.  PARSONS  AND  COMPANY,  PRINTERS. 

1874. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  REGENTS. 

Hon.  John  V.  L.  Peuyk,  LL.  D.,  Chancellor  of  the  Board,  13  Elk 
street,  Albany. 

Samuel  B.  Woolwoeth,  LL.  D.,  Secretary  of  the  Board,  State 
Library,  Albany. 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  FIRST  BOARD  OF  STATE  MEDICAL 

EXAMINERS. 

John  F.  Gray,  M.  D.,  LL.  D.,  President  of  the  Board,  Fifth  Avenue 
Hotel,  New  York. 

John-  C.  Minoe,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  Eegister  of  Examinations,  10  East 
Forty-first  street.  New  York. 

Hoeace  M.  Paine,  A.  M.,  M.  H.,  Secretary,  105  State  street,  Albany.; 

John  A.  McVickae,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  130  East  Seventeenth  street/ 
New  York.  ^ 

i 

William  H.  Watson,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  270  Genesee  street,  Utica.  ; 

Geoege  E.  Belchee,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  43  East  Twenty-first  street.  New; 
York.  ! 

Heney  B.  Millaed,  a.  M.,  M.  D.,  47  East  Twenty-fifth  street,  Newi 
York. 

William  S.  Seaele,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  132  Henry  street,  Brooklyn. 
Caeeoll  Dunham,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  Irvington-on-the-Hudson. 


I. 


The  Law  Authorizing  the  Appointment  of  State  Boards 
of  Medical  Examiners. 

“Ax  Act  Relating  to  the  Examixatiox  of  Candidates  for 
THE  Degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine. 

“ Passed  May  16,  1872.* 

“ The  People  of  the  State  of  yeiu  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembhj,  do  enact  as  folloius : 

/'•Section  1.  The  Regents  of  the  University  of  the  State  of  New 
York  shall  appoint  one  or  more  boards  of  examiners  in  medicine,  each 
board  to  consist  of  not  less  than  seven  members,  who  shall  have  been 
licensed  to  practice  physic  and  surgery  in  this  State. 

•*  § 2.  Such  examiners  shall  faithfully  examine  all  candidates  referred 
to  them  for  that  purpose  by  the  Chancellor  of  said  University,  and  fur- 
nish him  a detailed  report  in  writing  of  all  the  questions  and  answers 
of  each  examination,  together  with  a separate  written  opinion  of  each 
examiner  as  to  the  acquirements  and  merits  of  the  candidates  in  each 
case. 

“ § 3.  Such  examinations  shall  be  in  anatomy,  physiology,  materia 
medica,  pathology,  histology,  clinical  medicine,  chemistry,  surgery, 
midwifery  and  in  therapeutics,  according  to  each  of  the  systems  of 
practice  represented  by  the  several  medical  societies  of  this  State. 

“ § 4.  The  said  reports  of  examinations,  and  the  annexed  opinions  of 
the  examiners,  shall  forever  be  a part  of  the  public  records  of  the  said 
Univei’sity,  and  the  orders  of  the  chancellor  addressed  to  the  examiners, 
together  with  the  action  of  the  regents,  in  each  case,  shall  accompany 
the  same. 

“ § 5.  Any  person  over  twenty-one  years  of  age,  of  good  moral  charac- 
ter and  paying  not  less  than  thirty-five  dollars  into  the  treasury  of  the 
University,  and  on  applying  to  the  chancellor  for  the  aforesaid  exami- 
nation, shall  receive  an  order  to  that  effect,  addressed  to  one  of  the 
boards  of  examiners,  provided  he  shall  adduce  proofs  satisfactory  to  the 
Chancellor  that  he  or  she  has  a competent  knowledge  of  all  the  branches 
of  learning  taught  in  the  common  schools  of  this  State,  and  of  the 


* Session  Laws  1872,  chapter  74G. 


t)  ‘ ' *7 


4 


Latin  language,  and  that  he  has  diligently  studied  medicine  not  less 
than  three  years,  under  the  direction  of  one  or  more  physicians  duly 
qualified  to  practice  medicine,  or  has  himself  been  licensed,  on  exami- 
nation, by  some  medical  society  or  college  legally  empowered  to  issue 
licenses  or  degrees  in  medicine. 

“ § 6.  The  Eegents  of  the  University,  on  receiving  the  aforesaid  reports 
of  the  examiners,  and  on  finding  that  not  less  than  five  members  of  a 
board  have  voted  in  favor  of  a candidate,  shall  issue  to  him  or  her  a 
diploma,  conferring  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  of  the  University 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  which  degree  shall  be  a license  to  practice 
physic  and  surgery. 

“ § 7.  The  candidate,  on  receiving  said  diploma,  shall  pay  to  the  Uni- 
versity the  further  sum  of  not  less  than  ten  dollars. 

“ § 8.  The  moneys  paid  to  the  University,  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  appro- 
priated by  the  Regents  for  the  expenses  of  executing  the  provisions  of 
this  act. 

“ § 9.  The  Regents  may  establish  such  rules  and  regulations,  from 
time  to  time,  as  they  may  deem  necessary  to  insure  the  faithful  execu- 
tion of  the.  provisions  of  this  act. 

10.  This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately.’’ 

II. 

Rules  and  Regulations  for  the  Government  of  the 

Board. 

The  Board  of  Regents  have  prescribed  the  manner  in  which  the  law 
shall  be  carried  into  effect,  by  adopting  and  publishing  the  following 
schema  of  rules  and  regulations  for  the  goverment  of  State  Boards  of 
Medical  Examiners : 

Rules  Regulatioi^s  Established  by  the  Regents  of  the 

Univeksity. 

1.  Any  person  wishing  to  be  examined  as  authorized  by  the  fifth 
section  of  the  act  referred  to,  after  he  shall  have  made  the  payment 
required  in  said  section,  shall  apply  in  writing  to  the  Chancellor  for 
such  examination,  and  shall  also  present  to  him  in  writing  the  pre- 
liminary proofs  as  to  age,  character,  attainments  and  professional 
studies  required  by  the  said  act. 

2.  If  the  proofs  thus  presented  be  satisfactory  to  the  Chancellor,  he 
shall  give  his  certificate  thereof  in  writing,  to  be  filed  with  such  proof 
in  the  office  of  the  Regents,  and  grant  an  order  addressed  to  any  Board 
of  Examiners  appointed  under  the  said  act,  authorizing  such  board  to 
examine  such  candidate  as  required  by  the  said  act  and  these  rules 
and  to  furnish  to  the  Regents  of  the  University,  in  writing,  a full 


5 


report  of  such  examination  and  the  opinions  of  the  examiners,  within 
such  time,  to  be  named  in  said  order,  not  exceeding  three  months  from 
the  date  thereof,  as  he  may  deem  to  be  reasonable,  which  time  may  be 
extended  by  the  Chancellor  on  satisfactory  cause  being  shown  to  him. 

3.  The  chairman  of  the  l^oard  of  Examiners  shall  convene  the 
board  within  thirty  days  after  receiving  the  said  order,  giving,  at  least, 
ten  days  notice  in  writing  to  its  members,  and  also  to  the  president  of 
each  of  the  State  Medical  Societies  of  this  State,  of  the  time  and  place 
of  meeting,  and  of  the  name  of  the  candidate  or  candidates  to  be 
examined. 

4-.  The  said  board  may,  from  time  to  time,  make  such  rules  in  writ- 
ing, as  to  the  attendance  of  its  members  and  for  its  own  conduct  and 
government,  as  it  may  deem  proper;  a copy  of  which  rules  shall  be 
filed  with  the  Secretary  of  the  University,  and  all  such  rules  shall  be 
subject  to  repeal,  alteration  or  amendment  by  the  Kegents. 

5.  The  examination  of  every  candidate  shall  be  open  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  medical  profession,  wherever  resident,  and  to  the  Regents 
of  the  University.  It  shall  be  conducted  by  examination  papers,  to 
be  furnished  by  the  Regents  to  the  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Exam- 
iners in  sealed  envelopes,  in  sets  of  not  more  than  five  questions  in 
each  envelope.  At  the  commencement  of  the  examination,  the  chair- 
man of  the  board  shall  deliver  one  of  said  envelopes,  so  sealed,  to  each 
member  of  the  board  present  and  to  each  candidate,  and  shall  there- 
upon fix  and  declare  the  time  to  be  allowed  in  which  to  answer  that 
set  of  questions.  The  questions  shall  be  the  same  for  all  the  candi- 
dates at  the  same  examination. 

The  answers  shall  be  in  writing  in  the  following  form : 

Answer  of  A.  B.  to  the  Questions  Hereto  Annexed. 

To  the  first  question  he  says, ■,  and  so  on  through  all  the 

questions. 

Wlien  the  candidate  shall  have  completed  his  answers  to  all  the 
questions,  or  the  time  fixed  by  the  chairman  shall  have  expired,  he 
shall  sign  his  name  to  the  answers  and  annex  thereto  the  questions, 
and  deliver  the  same  to  the  chairman,  and  so  on  with  other  sets  of 
questions  until  the  whole  examination  be  completed. 

The  examiners  may  also  examine  the  candidates  by  oral  questions 
after  the  paper  examination  is  concluded  : but  each  oral  question  shall 
be  correctly  written  down  at  the  time,  before  it  is  answered,  and  the 
answer  thereto  shall  also  be  immediately  written  down,  and  such  oral 
examination,  as  well  as  the  paper  examination,  shall  make  part  of  the 
report  to  the  Regents. 

Xo  candidate  shall,  during  the  time  devoted  to  his  examination  on 
any  one  set  of  questions,  consult  any  person,  book  or  paper,  or  leave 
the  room  in  which  said  examination  is  conducted. 


6 


6.  Every  member  of  a Board  of  Examiners  shall,  within  twenty  days 
after  the  issuing  of  the  order  provided  for  in  the  second  of  these  rales, 
send  to  the  Kegents  of  the  University  (addressed  to  the  Secretary)  at 
least  fifty  written  questions  proper  to  be  put  to  the  candidates,  to  be 
classified  in  any  way  he  may  deem  proper.  From  said  questions,  and 
others  to  be  proposed  by  the  Kegents  or  other  persons,  the  Kegents 
shall  select  the  questions  to  be  put  to  the  candidates  as  aforesaid. 

7.  Any  candidate  who  shall  be  commended  for  distinguished  merit 
in  the  report  of  the  Examining  Board,  and  who  shall  also  present  to 
the  Kegents  a dissertation  on  some  medical  topic,  written  in  either 
Latin  or  English,  may,  if  the  Regents  so  direct,  receive  special  notice 
of  such  merit  at  the  University  Convocation  next  succeeding  his 
examination. 

8.  The  degree  of  “ Doctor  of  Medicine  of  the  University  of  the  State 
of  New  York,”  which  may  be  granted  in  conformity  to  the  said  act, 
will  be  conferred  in  form,  either  at  a meeting  of  the  Kegents,  or  at  the 
then  next  University  Convocation. 

9.  The  Secretary  of  the  Kegents  is  hereby  authorized,  out  of  the 
moneys  which  may  be  received  from  candidates,  pursuant  to  the  fifth 
and  seventh  sections  of  the  said  act,  to  pay  in  the  first  place  all  proper 
incidental  expenses  attending  the  examinations  and  proceedings  afore- 
said, to  be  audited  by  him,  and  then  the  actual  traveling  expenses  of 
the  examiners,  or  such  part  thereof  as  the  fund  may  warrant,  to  be 
audited  in  like  manner. 

10.  Any  vacancy  which  may  occur  in  any  Board  of  Examiners, 
when  the  Kegents  are  not  in  session,  may  be  filled  by  the  Chancellor 
by  an  appointment,  to  continue  in  foree  until  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Kegents. 

11.  The  Secretary  of  the  Kegents  is  directed  to  communicate  a copy 
of  these  rules  and  regulations  to  the  president  of  each  of  the  State 
Medical  Societies  and  Medical  Colleges  in  the  State. 

III. 

Explanatory  Statement. 

Several  points  in  this  law  deserve  the  especial  attention  of  the 
medical  profession : 

First.  As  regards  the  candidate  for  the  degree  of  doctor  of  medicine 
The  law  requires  proof  of  a specified  educational  qualification,  before 
the  question  of  an  examination  by  the  Board  of  Medical  Examiners 
can  be  entertained.  The  Chancellor  must  be  satisfied  that  the  candi- 
date has  a competent  knowledge  of  all  the  branches  of  learning  taught 
in  the  common  schools  of  this  State,  and  of  the  Latin  language. 


7 


This  is  in  addition  to  the  qualification  hitherto  required,  of  a speci- 
fied term  of  medical  study  ; and  it  is  an  indispensable  first-step  towards 
a higher  grade  of  medical  education,  the  necessity  of  which  is  deeply 
felt  by  the  profession  and  the  public. 

Second.  The  mode  of  examination.  The  method  prescribed  by  the 
rules  established  by  the  Board  of  Kegents  will  secure  an  impartial  ex- 
amination. It  is  required  to  be,  in  all  respects,  a written  examina- 
tion ; even  the  oral  portion,  should  there  be  such,  becoming  a part  of 
the  record.  The  entire  record,  consisting  of  the  questions  and  the 
replies  of  the  candidates,  together  with  written  opinions  upon  these 
replies  by  the  several  examiners,  is  to  be  lodged  in  the  archives  of  the 
Board  of  Regents,  subject,  for  all  time,  to  public  inspection. 

Tlie  examinations  are  always  to  be  open  to  the  observation  of  the 
profession ; and  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  holding  them,  and  of 
the  names  of  the  candidates  is  required  to  be  sent  to  the  President  of 
each  State  Medical  Society,  whose  critical  supervision  and  scrutiny,  in 
behalf  of  his  constituents,  is  thus  virtually  invited. 

From  a consideration  of  these  facts,  it  would  appear  that  a regard 
for  their  own  reputation,  no  less  than  a sense  of  the  dignity  and  re- 
sponsibility of  their  position,  must  constrain  the  examiners  to  subject 
eandidates  to  a comprehensive  test  of  their  acquirements  in  medicine 
and  surgery. 

Third.  As  regards  therapeutics.  The  most  striking  peculiarity  of 
this  examination  is  the  fact  that  it  must  embrace  all  the  varieties  of 
therapeutics^  represented  by  the  Medical  Societies  of  the  State  of  New 
York.  The  candidate,  therefore,  must  be  examined  in  the  materia  med- 
ica  and  the  institutes  and  practice  of  the  allopathic,  the  homoeopathic 
and  the  eclectic  schools  of  medicine.  And,  inasmuch  as  the  questions 
and  answers,  and  the  opinions  of  the  examiners  upon  the  answers,  are 
matter  of  public  record,  and  are  subject,  like  the  examinations,  to  the 
scrutiny,  criticism  and  protest  of  the  profession  at  large,  it  should  fol- 
low that  the  examinations  must  be  honest  and  thorough  in  each 
branch  of  therapeutics.  They  must  be  based  on  a comprehensive  and 
minute  knowledge  of  the  subject  on  the  part  of  the  examiner,  and  must 
exhibit  such  an  accurate  familiarity  with  it,  on  the  part  of  the  candi- 
date, as  would  satisfy  the  representatives  of  the  respective  medical 
societies. 

This  catholic  feature  of  the  medical  examinations  provided  by  the 
new  law,  not  only  requires  a wider  scope  of  practical  knowledge  than 
has  been  hitherto  demanded  of  candidates  for  the  degree  of  doctor  of 
medicine,  but,  by  compelling  a parity  of  acquirements  in  therapeutics 
on  the  part  of  the  candidates  for  the  degree,  it  opens  the  only  possible 
avenue  for  the  future  reunion  of  the  several  schools  into  which  the 
profession  is  divided. 


8 


Fourth,  The  sources  whence  the  candidate  may  obtain  medical 
knowledge.  In  the  same  liberal  spirit  the  law  omits  all  requisitions  as 
to  lioio  or  where  the  candidate  shall  have  received  his  medical  educa- 
tion. It  requires  at  least  three  years  of  study  under  a duly  qualified 
physician ; bufc,  for  the  rest,  it  leaves  the  student  free  to  gain  his 
knowledge  as  he  may  elect,  whether  under  private  tuition,  or  in  medi- 
cal colleges  or  hospitals,  or  by  a combination  of  these  methods.  The 
law  makes  no  distinction  based  on  the  sources  of  his  knowledge  ; but 
simply  stipulates  that  the  candidate  shall  demonstrate,  by  sustaining 
a just  and  impartial  examination,  the  fact  that  he  possesses  the  requi- 
site knowledge  for  obtaining  a degree. 

Fifth.  The  value  of  the  State  degree.  It  would  seem  that,  when 
the  scope  and  effect  of  this  law  shall  be  understood  by  the  profession, 
the  degree  of  doctor  of  medicine  authorized  by  it,  conferred  directly 
by  the  State,  on  recommendation  of  a State  Board  of  Examiners,  after 
an  examination  such  as  has  been  described,  must  come  to  possess  a 
value  far  higher  than  attaches  to  any  diploma  hitherto  issued  in 
this  country. 

Sixth.  Kegarding  annual  prizes  to  be  given  those  who  evince  supe- 
rior merit.  In  support  of  the  law.  Dr.  Gray  has  established  three 
annual  prizes  in  perpetuity,  to  be  distributed  by  the  Chancellor  of  the 
State  University  at  the  annual  convocation,  held  in  the  month  of  July 
or  August,  at  the  Capitol,  in  the  city  of  Albany.  These  prizes  are  in 
money,  and  are  to  reward  superior  merit  in  studies,  in  linguistics,  and 
perseverence  in  studies  under  pecuniary  difficulties.* 

Seventh.  Regarding  the  time  and  place  for  holding  the  examina- 
tions. The  stated  examinations  will  be  held  semi-annually  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  in  the  second  weeks  of  December  and  June  respec- 
tively. Those  candidates  who  have  received  an  order  from  the  Chan- 
cellor, in  compliance  with  the  fifth  section  of  the  law,f  and  with  the 
first  rule  adopted  by  the  Board  of  Regents,];  will  receive  due  notifica- 
tion of  the  precise  time  and  place  of  holding  the  examinations. 

lY. 

Extracts  from  the  Proceedings  of  Meetings  of  the  State 
Homoeopathic  Medical  Society,  Relating  to  the 
State  Board  of  Medical  Examiners. 

Extracts  from  the  proceedings  of  the  semi-annual  meeting,  held  in 
the  city  of  Brooklyn,  September,  1873  : 

Dr.  John  F.  Gray,  Chairman  of  the  Bureau  of  Medical  Education,  pre- 
sented the  following  report  concerning  the  State  Board  of  Examination: 
In  behalf  of  the  bureau,  I have  great  pleasure  in  presenting  the  sub- 
joined “rules  and  regulations ”§  for  the  conduct  of  examinations  for 

* Page  10.  + Page  3,  section  5.  $ Page  4,  rule  1.  § Chapter  II,  page  4. 


9 


the  new  degree  of  medicincB  doctor,  enacted  by  the  Regents  of  the  State 
university  since  the  last  meeting  of  this  society. 

It  will  be  found,  on  a cursory  view  of  this  action  of  the  Board  of 
Regents,  that  the  members  of  that  body  have  bestowed  great  attention 
upon  the  law  instituting  this  degree,  and  have  most  diligently  pro- 
vided rules  to  secure  a full  and  equitable  execution  of  all  its  provis- 
ioDS,  on  the  part  of  the  Chancellor  of  the  University  and  of  the  board 
of  examiners. 

The  undersigned  cannot  see  how,  under  these  excellent  rules,  any 
favor  can  be  shown  an  unworthy  candidate,  nor  any  injustice  done 
towards  one  diligent  and  well  prepared  for  his  examination. 

The  Regents  require : 

First.  That  the  Chancellor  shall  see  that  every  candidate  have  a 
good  common  school-training,  and  some  proficiency  in  reading  Latin. 

Second.  That  the  candidate  shall  write  down  extemporaneous 
answers  to  not  less  than  five  questions  in  each  of  the  nine  grand  depart- 
ments named  in  the  law  ; making  a continuous  essay,  in  fact,  upon  not 
less  than  forty-five  topics,  without  aid  from  books  or  any  kind  of 
prompting. 

Third.  That  the  examiners  shall  not  know,  till  the  candidate  is 
before  them,  which  of  their  four  hundred  and  fifty  questions  have  been 
elected  for  the  trial  of  the  candidate’s  merits  in  any  instance.  To 
secure  this  important  feature,  the  Regents  make  use  of  the  sealed  pack- 
ages of  questions  in  medicine,  in  form  and  all  other  conditions,  like 
those  adopted  by  them  in  the  examination  of  the  pupils  of  acade- 
mies throughout  the  State. 

Fourth.  That  in  therapeutics,  the  candidate  shall  exhibit  a syste- 
matic knowledge  of  homoeopathy,  allopathy  and  eclecticism;  and  do  this 
with  impartial  rigor  and  fullness  throughout  each  method  of  practice. 

It  is  thus  quite  evident,  that  this  University  diploma  is  not  only  to 
be  unimpeachable  testimony,  in  every  case,  but  also  be  irrefrag- 
able proof,  that  all  the  extant  modes  and  means  of  the  art  of  healing 
have  been  amply  studied  by  its  recipient. 

It  appears  to  the  undersigned  quite  just  and  proper  for  this  State 
Medical  Society  to  signify  its  entire  approval  of  the  measures  adopted 
by  the  board  of  regents  in  organizing  a court  of  medical  examina- 
tions, and  that  with  so  much  promptitude  and  admirable  skill.  The 
society  asked  for  the  law  earnestly,  the  government  enacted  it  in  the 
very  terms  proposed,  and  the  university  has  faithfully  executed  its  pro- 
visions; let  us  not  be  tardy  in  acknowledging  our  great  debt  to  both. 

In  contemplating  the  possible  results  of  the  measure  now  under 
your  notice,  we  cannot  fail  to  see  that  it  may,  at  no  distant  day,  be  con- 


10 


verted  by  a single  paragraph  of  law,  into  the  German  Staats  exa7nen, 
and  thus  become  here,  as  it  lias  long  been  in  the  Teutonic  lands,  a pro- 
tection for  the  people,  and  an  inestimable  means  of  advancement  for 
the  profession.  As  it  is  now,  without  any  such  aid  from  the  govern- 
ment, your  board  of  examiners  enables  you  to  establish  an  entirely 
unobjectionable  system  of  medical  tuition,  at  far  less  waste  of  time 
and  of  money  to  the  pupil.  It  opens  a fair  field  of  honorable  compe- 
tition for  teachers  which  cannot  be  shut  up  again  by  class  legislation ; 
a field  in  which  only  meritorious  power  to  impart  true  science  and  art 
can  possibly  be  in  demand. 

A school  of  demonstration  in  anatomy,  chemistry,  histology,  surgery 
botany  and  microscopy  consisting  of  three  teachers,  can  do  all  for  the 
students  that  they  need  outside  of  their  books.  Such  a school  will  need 
no  pulpit  for  oratorical  display.  Its  business  and  its  glory  will  be  the 
the  better  imparting  of  knowledge  by  demonstrations.  The  demand  for 
such  instruction,  created  by  your  new  degree,  with  its  fair  and  faultless 
public  and  recorded  examinations,  must  in  time  create  the  supply,  in 
the  form  of  a cheap  and  efficient  voluntary  association  of  teachers. 

Dr.  Gray  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  unanimously 
adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  approval  and  thanks  of  the  Society  be  tendered 
to  the  Kegents  of  the  University  of  the  State,  for  each  of  their  acts  and 
rulings  in  the  establishment  of  the  first  board  of  examiners  under  the  law 
of  1872,  relating  to  examinations  for  the  degree  of  doctor  of  medicine. 


Extracts  from  the  proceedings  of  the  annual  meeting,  held  in  the 
city  of  Albany,  February,  1874 : 

Dr.  Gray. — I have  great  pleasure  in  giving  notice  to  the  State  Society 
that  since  the  appointment  of  the  first  board  of  examiners  in  medicine 
by  the  Kegents  of  the  State  University,  I find  myself  able  to  set  apart  a 
fund  of  four  thousand  dollars  for  the  encouragement  of  meritorious 
candidates  who  shall  take  the  degree  of  doctor  of  medicine  on  the 
rigorous,  but  highly  just  and  honorable  conditions  prescribed  by  the 
Regents  pursuant  to  the  law  passed  May  16th,  1872.  The  fund  will  be 
lodged  in  the  Treasury  of  the  University,  in  trust  forever,  and  the 
interest  accumulations  are  to  be  distributed  by  the  Chancellor  of  the 
University  annually,  as  follows: 

1.  One-fifth,  to  the  candidate  who  shall  receive  the  highest  com- 
mendation from  the  first  boara  of  state  examiners  for  proficiency  in 
therapeutics  and  physiology. 


11 


2.  A like  Slim  to  the  best  candidate  among  those  wlio  have  sup- 
ported themselves  by  their  own  pecuniary  exertions. 

3.  A like  sum  to  the  candidate  who  shall,  in  addition  to  sustaining 
the  examination  by  said  board,  give  proofs  of  highest  proficiency  in 
the  German  language  (as  an  acquired  tongue). 

4.  A like  sum,  to  the  candidate  of  any  medical  college  in  this  State 
wlio,  in  tlie  judgmert  of  said  board  of  medical  examiners,  shall  have 
best  sustained  the  paper  examination  furnished  by  the  Regents  of  the 
University  for  the  purpose  to  tlie  faculty  or  faculties  of  such  colleges. 
[This  prize  to  cease  at  my  death ; and  the  accumulations  thereafter  to 
be  divided  by  the  remaining  number  of  prizes.] 

5.  And  one-fifth  to  the  physician,  already  licensed  according  to  law, 
who  shall  take  this  degree  with  the  highest  commendation  amongst  this 
class  of  candidates. 

It  is  provided  by  me,  that  the  fund  reverts  to  my  estate,  in  case  the 
mode  of  examination,  as  now  established  by  the  law  aforesaid,  and  by 
the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  University  of  the  State,  be,  in  any 
degree,  repealed  or  modified  by  the  government  of  the  state  or  by  the 
Regents  of  said  University. 

Dr.  Watson. — I move  that  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  tendered  to 
Dr.  Gray  for  his  very  liberal  bequest. 

Motion  unanimously  adopted. 


V. 


List  of  Written  Questions  Presented  to  the  Candidates 
at  the  Examination  in  June,  1874. 


ANATOMY. 

1.  Describe  the  hip-joint. 

2.  Describe  the  muscular  apparatus  of  the  eye. 

3.  Describe  the  valves  of  the  heart. 

4.  Describe  the  minute  anatomy  of  the  lungs. 

5.  What  changes  occur  in  the  structure  of  the  os  femoris  from  in- 
fancy to  old  age? 

PHYSIOLOGY. 

1.  How  would  you  distinguisli  a secretion  from  an  excretion  physio- 
logically ? 

2.  Define  function,  and  illustrate  it. 

3.  State  some  of  the  conditions  which  modify  the  amount  of  urine 
formed  daily. 

4.  Is  urea  formed  as  such  in  the  blood,  or  is  it  a functional  product  of 
the  kidneys  ? 


12 


5.  What  is  the  foochsource  of  urea,  and  to  how  many  kinds  of  work 
can  it  be  ascribed  ? 

HISTOLOGY. 

1.  Define  a cell. 

2.  What  is  “budding,”  or  germination  ? 

3.  What  is  “ germinal  matter  ? ” 

4.  What  movements  may  be  observed  in  cells  ? 

5.  What  are  the  effects  of  temperature  upon  the  cells? 

CHEMISTRY. 

1.  What  element  is  most  abundant  ? State  its  properties  and  vary- 
ing forms. 

2.  Is  the  air  a chemical  compound  or  a mixture  ? Grive  proofs. 

3.  What  are  nitrates  and  nitrites? 

4.  What  are  the  prominent  tests  for  arsenic? 

5.  What  are  the  chemical  changes  in  respiration  ? 

PATHOLOGY. 

1.  What  is  the  distinction  between  physiology  and  pathology  ? 

2.  Define  the  terms  Epidemic,  Endemic,  Sporadic  and  Zymotic. 

3.  Define  the  terms  Diagnosis  and  Prognosis,  and  illustrate  by  an 
example  taken  from  any  department  of  special  pathology. 

4.  Name  and  describe  some  of  the  organic  lesions,  morbid  products, 
and  structural  changes  which  occur  in  benign  or  curable  diseases. 

5.  What  is  a contagion  ? How  many  are  known,  and  how  do  you 
classify  them  ? 

DIAGNOSIS. 

1.  Give  the  differential  diagnosis  between  Bright’s  disease  and  sim- 
ple albuminuria. 

2.  Give  the  differential  diagnosis  between  typhus  fever  and  typhoid 
or  enteric  fever. 

3.  How  do  you  distinguish  chronic  pneumonia  from  tuberculosis? 

4.  How  do  you  distinguish  sciatica  from  disease  of  the  hip-joint? 

5.  How  do  you  detect  albumen  in  the  urine  ? 

SURGERY. 

1.  What  methods  of  local  treatment  may  be  used  with  advantage  in 
cases  of  sub-acute  or  chronic  cystitis  ? 

2.  Give  the  prognosis  and  treatment  of  dislocation  of  the  sternal  end 
of  the  clavicle. 

3.  What  are  the  primary,  secondary,  and  tertiary  forms  of  syphilis  ? 

4.  Give  the  differential  diagnosis  between  compression  and  concus- 
sion of  the  brain. 

5.  Give  the  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  hip  disease. 

OBSTETRICS. 

1.  Describe  the  changes  which  occur  in  the  uterus  during  preg- 
nancy; the  formation  of  the  foetus  and  its  appendages. 

2.  Decribe  the  foetal  circulation,  and  state  how  it  differs  from  that 
of  extra-uterine  life. 

3.  Suppose  that,  during  labor,  a sudden  and  entire  suspension  of 
vigorous  labor  pains,  witli  syncope,  should  occur,  what  would  be  the 
probable  cause,  and  how  would  you  treat  such  a case  ? 


13 


4.  AVhiit  are  the  symptoms  of  puerperal  peritonitis  ; what  is  the  best 
allopathic  treatment,  and  what  the  homoeopathic? 

5.  Give  the  pathology,  diagnosis,  and  treatment  of  uterine  hydatids. 

HOMOEOPATHIC  MATERIA  MEDICA. 

1.  Describe  in  a general  way  the  methods  of  preparing  homoeo- 
pathic medicines;  state  the  terms  used  to  designate  the  various  prepara- 
tions of  a drug,  and  define  the  two  scales  according  to  which,  chiodly, 
homoeopathic  medicines  are  prepared. 

2.  Describe  the  action  of  Phosphorus  on  the  respiratory  organs  and 
functions  of  the  healthy  human  subject;  and  compare  it  with  that  of 
Antimonium  tartaricum  and  that  of  Arsenicum. 

3.  Give  the  indications  for  Camphor  in  a case  of  Asiatic  cholera,  as 
they  are  accepted  by  Homoeopathic  physicians. 

4.  State  the  indications  for  Nitric  acid  in  diseases  of  the  kidneys 
and  of  the  rectum  respectively. 

5.  State  the  mental  and  moral  symptoms  procured  by  Stra- 
monium in  the  healthy  human  subject. 

ALLOPATHIC  MATERIA  MEDICA. 

1.  AAdiat  are  the  properties  of  Potassa  or  Potash  as  a therapeutic 
agent  when  uncombined  or  simply  dissolved  ? 

2.  Mention  some  of  the  salts  of  Potash  which  are  used  in  medicine, 
and  what  chemical  and  physiological  qualities  they  possess  in  com- 
mon. 

3.  Mention  some  of  the  prominent  Diuretics  upon  which  most  de- 
pendence is  placed  in  the  treatment  of  dropsy. 

4.  What  are  the  physiological  effects  of  Tartar  emetic  upon  the 
pulse,  muscular  system,  and  the  secretions  generally  ? 

5.  What  are  the  effects  produced  by  the  local  application  of  Tartar 
emetic  to  the  skin,  and  for  what  purpose  is  it  so  used  ? 

ECLECTIC  MATERIA  MEDICA. 

1.  State  some  of  the  classifications  of  remedies  adopted  in  the  Eclec- 
tic Materia  Medica  and  give  the  names  of  some  remedies  belonging  to 
the  classes  named. 

2.  State  the  general  rule  which  is  laid  down  in  Eclectic  medical 
works  for  the  determination  of  the  doses  of  drugs. 

3.  Deseribe  the  physiological  properties  of  Veratrum  viride  and  the 
indications  for  its  use  in  treating  diseases  according  to  Eclectic  thera- 
peutics. 

4.  What  are  the  teachings  of  Eclectic  authors  respecting  the  various 
preparations  of  Mercury  and  Arsenic,  and  their  use  in  the  treatment 
of  disease  ? Cite  authorities. 

5.  Describe  the  properties  and  uses  of  Lobelia  inflata  according  to 
the  teachings  and  practice  of  Eclectic  physicians. 

IIOMCEOPATinC  THERAPEUTICS. 

1.  In  prescribing  for  a patient,  how  does  the  Homoeopathic  physician, 
acting  according  to  Hahnemann’s  directions,  derive  his  indications  for 
the  remedy  to  be  administered  ? 

2.  Do  Homoeopathic  physicians,  in  making  up  the  totality  of  symp- 
toms ” include  the  pathological  histology  of  the  case  ? If  so,  give 
examples. 


14 


3.  What  do  Homoeopathic  physicians  mean  by  ‘‘  individualizing ' 
cases ; and  on  what  ground  do  they  deprecate  prescribing  on  the  no- 
sological designation  of  a case. 

4.  What  is  meant  by  the  pathology  of  a disease  ; and  how  do 
Homoeopathic  physicians  make  use  of  pathology  in  treating  the  sick  ? 

5.  What  were  Hahnemann’s  teachings  with  regard  to  predispositions 
to  disease  ; and  witli  regard  to  chronic  diseases  generally  ? 

ALLOPATHIC  THERAPEUTICS. 

1.  What  two  general  departments  of  knowledge  constitute  the 
science  of  Therapeutics  ? 

2.  How  do  we  arrive  at  our  knowledge  of  the  curative  effects  of 
drugs  ? 

3.  What  do  you  understand  by  “crises”  in  disease? 

4.  By  what  power  or  agency  are  crises  originated  and  carried  on  ? 

5.  In  those  morbid  affections  of  the  animal  body  which  have  no 
tendency  to  crisis,  as,  for  instance,  the  various  forms  of  neuralgia, 
wdiat  are  our  guides  to  treatment  ? 

ECLECTIC  THERAPEUTICS. 

1.  State  the  theory  of  “ Specific  Medication,”  according  to  the 
teachings  of  the  Eclectic  school. 

2.  What  is  meant  by  “ Specific  Medication,”  as  distinguished  from 
“ Specific  Medicines,”  according  to  the  teachings  of  the  Eclectic  school  ? 

3.  What  is  meant  by  “ Specific  Diagnosis  ” as  the  term  is  used  by 
Eclectic  authors  ? Give  illustrations. 

4.  Describe  the  method  employed  by  physicians  of  the  Eclectic 
school  in  examining  a patient  and  determining  the  prescription. 

5.  Suppose  and  describe  a moderately  severe  case  of  gastro-enteritis, 
and  describe  the  Electic  method  of  examining  the  patient;  direct  the 
regimen,  and  make  a prescription  according  to  Eclectic  rules. 

CLINICAL  MEDICINE. 

1.  ETame  some  remedies  that  have  been  given  for  the  cure  or  relief 
of  Intermittent  Fever,  and  state  the  special  indications  for  the  use  of 
one  or  more  of  them. 

2.  What  are  the  symptoms  that  characterize  Diphtheria  ? 

3.  What  are  the  symptoms  of  Pneumonia,  and  the  pathological  con- 
ditions in  its  different  stages  ? 

4.  AVhat  are  the  symptoms,  pathological  condition,  and  probable 
duration  of  Cancer  of  the  Stomach  ? 

5.  What  are  the  symptoms,  cause,  and  treatment  of  Variola? 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

' Officers  of  the  Board  of  Regents  of  the  University  of  the  State  of 

New  York 2 

List  of  members  of  the  First  Board  of  State  Medical  Examiners, 

appointed  November  12,  1872 2 

I.  The  law  authorizing  the  appointment  of  State  Boards  of  Medical 

Examiners 3 

II.  Rules  and  regulations  for  the  government  of  the  Board,  prescribed  by 

the  Regents  of  the  University 4 

III.  Statement  explanatory  of  the  objects  and  purposes  designed  to  be 

accomplished  by  the  Board 6 

First.  Regarding  the  candidate 6 

Second.  The  mode  of  examination 7 

Third.  Therapeutics ....  7 

Fourth.  The  sources  whence  the  candidate  may  obtain  medical 

knowledge 8 

Fifth.  The  value  of  the  State  degree 8 

Sixth.  Annual  prizes  to  be  given  those  who  evince  superior  merit  ...  8 

Seventh.  Time  and  place  for  holding  the  examinations 8 

lY.  Extracts  from  the  proceedings  of  meetings  of  the  State  Homoeopathic 

Medical  Society  relating  to  the  State  Board  of  Examiners 8 

Y.  List  of  written  questions  presented  to  the  candidates  at  the  examina- 
tion held  in  June,  1874 11 


